Tag Archives: carkitt

As an early Father’s Day gift, my Dad and I created a moving pictures album at Shutterbutton’s in Diagon Alley. This hidden gem is a wonderful experience, and creates a magical memory.

It is located within the same interior space as, and behind Quality Quidditch Supplies, next to Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes. A dedicated entrance is also off of Carkitt Market near The Hopping Pot beverage stand, and adjacent to the Merperson statue that spits water.

Wearing the house robe of your choice, you are directed through 12 scenes against a green screen in a private filming booth. Afterward, you are given a short preview on screen of your finished moving pictures, and then are provided with a DVD copy that comes housed in a keepsake steelcase with Shutterbutton’s graphics. A digital copy is also sent to you via email, and hosted via Universal’sPhotoConnect which is the same service that supports the delivery of the digital on-ride photos and character meet and greet photos.

The entire process takes no more than 20 minutes once you enter the filming booth and here is the result from our experience:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley opened officially on July 8, 2014 and features a variety of carefully recreated shops, restaurants and entertainment situated throughout Diagon Alley and the adjacent areas of Horizont Alley, Carkitt Market and Knockturn Alley. Carkitt Market features a variety of shops, carts and beverage stands as well as a stage area where two live stage shows are performed several times a day: Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees, and The Tales of Beedle The Bard.

Immediately after entering, or once you have walked the length of Diagon Alley toward Gringotts Bank, if you turn to the right, you will enter Carkitt Market which is a glass-covered arcade-style shopping and entertainment area that runs between Gringott’s Bank and the Diagon Alley entrances/exits through the London Embankment building facades. Specifically, there is an exit directly adjacent to The Hopping Pot beverage stand from which you exit through the Wyndham’s theater facade.

VIDEO: Rotating Armillery Sphere at Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment

Gringotts Money ExchangeGringotts Money Exchange is separate from Gringotts Bank. In this location you can exchange your U.S. currency to official Gringotts Bank Notes. $10 and $20 notes are available. This currency can then be used at various places around Universal Orlando Resort or kept as souvenirs. Other Gringotts merchandise can be purchased here as well. The goblin at the desk will interact with you while you’re in line. This attraction is located in Carkitt Market between Wiseacre’s and the show stage.

ScribbulusConnected to Wiseacre’s and focusing on ink, quills, parchment, backpacks, stationery, paperweights, wax seals and other school supplies.

Photos to come

Shutterbutton’s Photography StudioShutterbutton’s is a small shop which offers park guests a photo or video oppurtunity. They have a couple rooms with green screens and old looking cameras which capture your moving likeness. They put you and your family into Wizarding places in a moving picture scrapbook ranging between 3-5 minutes in length on a DVD. Its a 15 minute process to complete and costs $69.95.

Photos to come

Wands by Gregorovitch
While most aspiring wizards will want to visit Ollivanders, some might not have time to wait in the long queue. Don’t frett, there is another wizarding wand shop in Diagon Alley called Wands by Gregorovitch. Of course, purchases here come without the experience and show wizards and witches get in Ollivanders. The shop is also much smaller than Ollivanders, but has all of the classic wand options.

Photos to come

Eternelle’s Elixir of Refreshment
A beveral stand offering variety of “beverages” that consist of various “potions” mixed with Gillywater, creating a combination that allows the drinker to “experience a delightful flavour surprise”. Known potions used by Eternelle’s include the Draught of Peace, Babbling Beverage, Elixir to Induce Euphoria, and Fire Protection Potion.

Entertainment

Celestina Warbeck and the BansheesA concert-style street performance featuring “The Singing Sorceress” and original music titles created by J.K. Rowling including: “A Cauldron Full Of Hot, Strong Love,” “You Stole My Cauldron But You Can’t Have My Heart” and “You Charmed The Heart Right Out Of Me”.

Photos to come

The Tales of Beedle the BardRe-telling of the “Tale of The Three Brothers” by Beedle the Bard by actors and puppeteers who bring the story of The Deathly Hallows to life during a live on stage performance using intricate puppets inspired by the feature film’s animation sequences.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley opened officially on July 8, 2014 and features a variety of carefully recreated shops, restaurants and entertainment situated throughout Diagon Alley and the adjacent areas of Horizont Alley, Carkitt Market and Knockturn Alley. The featured attraction is Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts – a multi-sensory, multi-dimensional journey that combines an indoor roller-coaster with a 3D dark ride themed around an incredible adventure where riders navigate their way through the perils of the Gringotts vaults and encounter many familiar friends and foes.

After exploring the London Embankment – which includes a row of landmark building facades for King’s Cross Railway Station, Charing Cross Rd Sandringham Building (with Screed & Sons Bookshop), Leicester Square Underground Station (with “Record Shop”), Wyndham’s Theatre, Grimmauld Place, plus a courtyard featuring the Statue of Eros from Picadilly Circus and a full-sized replica of the Knight Bus from Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban – you walk “through” the secret brick wall and are instantly transported into Diagon Alley. Everywhere, music from the films and thematic sound effects are playing, the air is “cooler”, it smells wonderful, and it is common to see adults and children alike moved to tears. There is literally magic happening everywhere – some ongoing as set pieces, some as performance art and some provoked by muggles, wizards and witches possessing the new interactive wands that enable spells to be cast upon specific magical objects throughout the area.

Exteriors & Environment

London Embankment

Diagon Alley

Shops & Restaurants

The Leaky CauldronStep inside the famous Diagon Alley pub and fill up on traditional British food including cottage pie, fish and chips, and bangers and mash. And of course, you can enjoy a frothy Butterbeer.

Madam Malkin’s Robes For All OccasionsShop for a variety of wizardwear such as a selection of authentic wizard’s robes, character costumes and more.

Eeylops Owl Emplorium

Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream ParlourGuests looking for something on the sweeter side can visit this Diagon Alley ice-cream shop for frozen treats in interesting and unique flavors like strawberry and peanut-butter, Butterbeer and many others.

Ollivanders Wand ShopThis is where young wizards come in search of their most essential wizarding supply: their wand. Inside, towering walls reveal thousands of wand boxes stacked to the ceiling. And inside each box, a wand is waiting to choose a wizard.

Welcome

ExperienceTheWizard.com focuses on coverage of our visits to, and news about, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Orlando) and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter (London) featuring photos and reviews by Owner & Curator, Antony Coukos. Additionally, we will share general news and updates surrounding Harry Potter movies, multimedia and attractions. Featured exhibits will include Antony's detailed original photography and reviews of certain Harry Potter products like the Ultimate Edition DVDs and limited edition merchandise. Enjoy!